Juventude e sucessão rural na agroecologia: uma análise sobre a Associação Regional de Cooperação e Agroecologia (ECOTERRA)

Abstract

Rural succession refers to the transition and management of agricultural properties and production units from one generation to the next. This process is crucial to ensuring the continuity of farming practices and the preservation of land and rural life. This study aims to analyze rural succession within the context of agroecology, exploring its motivations, incentives, challenges, and the causes of rural youth migration. The role of associations in the field of agroecology is fundamental to enabling young people to remain in rural areas, offering alternatives that make agroecological food production more attractive and rewarding, thereby contributing to the promotion of healthier diets in the country. The ECOTERRA association, located in the municipality of Três Arroios, in northern Rio Grande do Sul, has been promoting agroecology and working with farming families for over 20 years, focusing on the organization of production and the commercialization of organic food. This study seeks to gather and analyze data on rural succession, with a focus on the participation of young people involved in this association. The research adopted a qualitative approach, allowing for an understanding of both the favorable aspects and the challenges involved in the rural succession process, showing that despite the difficulties, succession is both possible and viable.